Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah on Tuesday laid before the Enugu State House of Assembly the 2026–2028 Multi-Year Budget Estimates, describing the fiscal plan as a blueprint designed to consolidate ongoing reforms, accelerate economic expansion, and deliver a modern, prosperous, and globally competitive Enugu State.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Addressing Speaker Uchenna Ugwu and Honourable Members of the Assembly, Governor Mbah expressed gratitude for their partnership and commitment to the state’s development agenda. He noted that the past year marked a decisive turning point when the administration’s reforms moved from promise to tangible, visible impact.
He recalled that when he presented the 2025 budget, many reforms were still new, unfamiliar, and demanding. But by 2025, the state began to experience the “first clear light of a new day,” as long-awaited changes became visible across communities.
The governor said that disciplined fiscal management, bold reforms, and robust oversight from the Legislature produced unprecedented progress, allowing the government to move from anticipation to evidence and from hope to measurable outcomes.
TRANSFORMATION FELT ACROSS ENUGU
Governor Mbah highlighted improvements experienced by residents across Enugu State: smoother transportation due to improved roads, fully revived Monday markets following strengthened security, upgraded healthcare facilities, digitalized public-school infrastructure, revived state assets, and a significant rise in internally generated revenue (IGR).
He cited real-life examples — fathers commuting on improved roads, mothers accessing modern community healthcare centres, students learning in smart classrooms, traders benefiting from safer markets, and farmers recording higher yields through revived agricultural assets.
According to him, these achievements now form the foundation of the proposed 2026 Budget of Renewed Momentum.
FOUR PILLARS OF THE 2026–2028 BUDGET
The governor announced that the budget is structured around four key pillars:
- Empowerment and Education
- Inclusive and People-Centred Development
- Good Governance
- Economic Transformation
EMPOWERMENT AND EDUCATION
Governor Mbah said the administration has invested heavily in youth and education, completing or nearing completion of Smart Green Schools in all 260 wards.
He reaffirmed that nearly one-third of state budgets over two years went into education, noting ongoing programmes through the Enugu SME Centre and the Youth Technical Empowerment initiatives. He also highlighted the new teaching hospital at SUMAS, Igbo-Eno.
INCLUSIVE AND PEOPLE-CENTRED DEVELOPMENT
The governor reported major milestones:
Near completion of 260 solar-powered Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres operating 24/7.
Restoration of extensive water supply through the 9th Mile Water Scheme and the revived Oji River Scheme.
Completion or rehabilitation of over 1,000 kilometres of roads.
Commissioning of five modern bus terminals (Holy Ghost 1 & 2, Abakpa, Garriki, Nsukka).
Expansion of public transportation with CNG buses and upcoming hybrid taxis.
Establishment of the State Disability Commission to enhance inclusion.
GOOD GOVERNANCE
Governor Mbah emphasised that good governance remains central to his administration. He cited:
The Enugu State Citizens’ Charter, the first in the state’s history.
Full automation of revenue systems, digital receipts, and bank-linked payment platforms.
Strengthened procurement rules and performance-based budgeting.
A tech-driven security framework that has achieved over 80% reduction in violent crime.
ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION
The governor described Enugu’s economic transformation as a coordinated ecosystem where infrastructure, security, technology, agriculture, and tourism work in synergy.
He highlighted:
Full digitisation of land records through Enugu GIS.
Launch of Enugu Air and activation of transport terminals.
Commissioning of the 5,000-capacity International Conference Centre, which hosted over 20,000 delegates at the NBA Conference.
Revived tourism, including the upcoming ICC Hotel, Awgu Games Village, and Nigeria’s first zipline.
Expansion of agricultural infrastructure, including 300,000-hectare Land Banks, Smart Farm Estates in 17 LGAs, and the Tractor Assembly Plant.
Governor Mbah reaffirmed his commitment to reducing dependence on federal allocations and building a self-sustaining state economy.
2025 BUDGET PERFORMANCE
Governor Mbah provided a detailed breakdown of the 2025 budget execution:
Revenues
FAAC inflow projected at ₦150bn, actual ₦230bn — over 50% above projection.
IGR projected at historic levels, expected to exceed ₦400bn, a 221.6% increase over 2024.
Total revenue by Q4 2025: ₦826bn.
He attributed part of this success to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national economic reforms, including subsidy removal and FX unification, which he said improved macroeconomic stability.
Expenditures
Personnel and overhead: ₦138bn (92% performance).
Capital projects: ₦667bn.
Overall budget performance: 83% implementation.
“So far, we have spent about ₦806 billion — 97.5% of all funds received,” the governor said.
MOVING INTO 2026–2028
Governor Mbah announced that 2026 will mark a shift from foundation-laying to full-scale delivery:
New smart secondary schools and technical colleges.
Massive infrastructure expansion.
Bigger transport fleet, more taxis, buses, aircraft.
Rapid tourism expansion.
Full activation of all 260 Farm Estates.
Real construction begins on the New Enugu Smart City, expected to generate significant revenue.
2026 BUDGET OVERVIEW: ₦1.62 TRILLION
Governor Mbah proposed a budget size of ₦1.617 trillion, a 66.5% increase from 2025.
Projected Revenue
IGR — ₦870bn
FAAC — ₦387bn
Capital Receipts — ₦329bn
Expenditure
Recurrent: ₦321.3bn (20%)
Capital: ₦1.296 trillion (80%)
SECTORAL ALLOCATION
Administration — ₦128bn (8%)
Economic Sector — ₦825.9bn (51%)
Law & Justice — ₦15.8bn (1.54%)
Regional Sector — ₦2.8bn (0.17%)
Social Sector — ₦644.7bn (40.1%)
Governor Mbah said:
“2026 is the year Enugu moves from building foundations to delivering impact at full scale.”
ECONOMIC SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS
Agriculture
Completion of all 260 Farm Estates, each 200 hectares, equipped with warehouses, tractor sheds, irrigation, electricity, and water.
Transportation
A major transport expansion in 2026 with more buses, terminals, taxis, and improved mobility systems.